Chapter 133: Master? Clown! String Him Up and Beat Him!

Bozo Chalman's face alternated between green and white. Just as he was about to retort to Professor Sprout, he felt a cold gaze from above. Looking up, he saw Ciel gazing in his direction from afar. The beater's bat in his hands seemed ready to strike. Images from the earlier match immediately flashed through Bozo Chalman's mind. This little monster from the Sprout family could even shatter goalposts. If he attacked him... He had no armor protection, wouldn't he be beaten to pieces? Thinking this, the words about to leave his mouth were swallowed back in bitter silence. At this time, Dumbledore actually applauded and showed a moved smile. "Magnificent match. I never expected to witness a history-making game today. They all played excellently, wouldn't you agree?" The Board of Governors members' faces looked very ugly, feeling like they'd been given a harsh welcome the moment they arrived at Hogwarts. They were eager to regain face. One Board member said coldly, "We've seen this spectacular match. We've also felt Hogwarts' warm welcome atmosphere. But Headmaster Dumbledore, we came to review Hogwarts' academic conditions, not specifically to go to great lengths to watch a match. Time to get down to business, don't you think?" Dumbledore nodded with a smile. "Of course. Where would you like to start?" Bozo Chalman said sinisterly, "That Ciel Sprout is truly an excellent young wizard. Not only outstanding in Quidditch. I hear he's also unique in Herbology, and even the little greenhouse that symbolizes Hogwarts' Herbology honor has supposedly been given to him to use. Why don't you open our eyes?" With these words, Dumbledore also cast an inquiring glance at Professor Sprout. However, to everyone's relief, Professor Sprout didn't become angry over this. She just sneered contemptuously. "Then let me open your eyes. See what a true Herbology genius looks like." The others' expressions became more interesting. As everyone knew, terms like "Herbology genius" were forever painful to Bozo Chalman's heart. If he had truly possessed unique talent in Herbology back then, perhaps he could have developed in the direction of being a Herbologist. Rather than becoming a so-called Herbology critic who harbored such intense malice toward various Herbology newcomers. Professor Sprout was really hitting Bozo Chalman where it hurt. His face suddenly turned iron blue. He panted heavily a few times before squeezing out through gritted teeth, "Then I'll wait to be enlightened." Then Bozo Chalman quickly walked toward the little greenhouse. Seeing this, Dumbledore slightly shook his head. Then he looked in Ciel's direction and waved his hand casually. Lines of dancing text appeared in the air before him. "Ciel. I think you already know about the review committee. Please come to the little greenhouse." Seeing this text, he frowned, the coldness in his eyes deepening. Cedric looked at him in surprise. "Ciel? What's this about a review committee?" After Ciel briefly explained, Cedric and the others' joy immediately vanished, replaced by anger. "What? This is absurd. First a hearing, now some review committee. Do they think Hufflepuff is easy to bully?" Cedric patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Ciel. Hufflepuff never lets teammates fight alone. I'll go gather everyone right now." He was first stunned, then felt warmth in his heart. However, he still shook his head repeatedly at Cedric's suggestion. "Thank you for the kind thought, but we don't need to make such a big fuss, Cedric. The previous hearing already caused quite a stir. Doing it again would look bad." He joked with Cedric. "Our captain will definitely be a sure-fire prefect and Head Boy in the future. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll enter the Ministry after graduation to start your political career. If I remember correctly, you mentioned this is also your father's expectation for you. So this time, Cedric, don't take the lead. Making trouble once can be explained as youthful spirit, but twice makes you a real troublemaker... it might cause problems later." Cedric looked anxious, about to say this little trouble was nothing. But Ciel waved his hand with a smile, his expression full of confidence. "Don't worry. This is Hogwarts, with Dumbledore in charge. Those so-called review committee members don't have the ability to call white black." Hearing his confident words, Cedric finally relaxed somewhat. Based on his understanding of Ciel, he was indeed usually a low-key little Hufflepuff focused only on farming, rarely getting involved in various messy affairs or making promises. But once he spoke up, it meant the matter was guaranteed. "Alright then. If there's anything, come find us for help anytime." Only then did Ciel wave to Cedric and the others before heading toward the little greenhouse. At this time, the review committee members had already arrived at the little greenhouse entrance. Professor Sprout looked serious. Though she disdained the so-called review committee, when it came to academic-related introductions, her attitude was still very rigorous, unaffected by her previous emotions. "What you're seeing now is the little greenhouse that has been repaired, maintained, and reopened. The previous little greenhouse had been closed for a long time due to lack of funding, plus that well-known turbulent period. This time, we supplemented the soil nutrients and mixed in pearl soil to restore the soil condition to its previous level as much as possible." Professor Sprout was introducing the little greenhouse situation. But she'd barely begun when Bozo Chalman, as if finding some flaw, excitedly interrupted. "Why mix in pearl soil? In terms of nutrient restoration ability, pearl soil isn't much stronger than diatomaceous earth. But in terms of price, pearl soil costs at least ten times more than diatomaceous earth. Wouldn't using more diatomaceous earth work?" Professor Sprout was stunned, looking at him like he was an idiot. "The little greenhouse soil has always used pearl soil. With the same soil composition, magic spreads more evenly within it. Using other soils might cause magical stratification, potentially causing permanent damage to the little greenhouse's soil conditions." Bozo Chalman grinned. "But I found a secret formula in a book long ago. Mixing a special potion into diatomaceous earth creates soil more effective than pearl soil. Even counting the potion cost, it's only one-third the price of pearl soil. Master Sprout, surely you don't not know a secret formula that even I know?" Professor Sprout looked completely speechless. "Fusion potion mixture... this is a theoretically feasible but practically rejected solution. It has many fatal flaws..." Before she could finish, Bozo eagerly interrupted again. "Since it's theoretically feasible, that means there must be a method. Shouldn't you try it? Oh right! I know several other secret formulas too." Bozo began talking endlessly. At first, Professor Sprout could barely manage to speak, trying to explain to him that these so-called secret formulas simply didn't work. Many of Bozo's "secret formulas" were even folk legends, completely impractical in actual operation. Many had fatal theoretical flaws... complete jokes. But soon, Professor Sprout didn't even want to open her mouth. She felt explaining to such a person was simply a waste of time. For someone who only half-understood Herbology, used it as a means to criticize others, and probably hadn't cultivated magical herbs in decades... even acknowledging him would count as a loss for her as a Herbology master. But Bozo clearly took Professor Sprout's speechlessness as his victory. He took out his quill and scribbled on parchment. "It's okay not to understand... I can teach you. Here, these are reference books I usually read. You need to study more. By the way, I hear you've been working on the Whomping Willow project for years without results?" Bozo made a "tsk" sound, his face full of superiority. "I have some research in this area too. I can completely guide you. But now, let's get back to business. This little greenhouse setup won't work. Can't keep using pearl soil... need diatomaceous earth. That way the greenhouse area can be expanded several times. And all my modification suggestions need to be implemented..." Professor Sprout had truly reached her limit. Bozo spouting nonsense elsewhere was one thing, but the Whomping Willow project and this little greenhouse were things she had poured countless efforts into. She couldn't tolerate an unlearned academic failure talking nonsense here. But compared to Bozo, who often participated in debates and wrote various articles for publications, Professor Sprout's eloquence really wasn't as sharp. Plus this person's various "common knowledge" had reached incomprehensible levels in her view. There was simply no reasoning with him. Instead, it made Bozo even more smug. Professor Sprout's expression grew increasingly ugly. She was so angry her lips trembled, her vision blurred, and she staggered, nearly falling. Just then, a strong arm steadily supported Professor Sprout. After she recovered, she realized Ciel had arrived. And he was staring intently at Bozo Chalman. His eyes were cold as sword blades. At this moment, he had rage burning in his chest. Bullying his Aunt Sprout, and apparently not just once... he'd also angered her during the Quidditch match? This was asking for death! The next moment, Ciel helped the thoroughly angered Professor Sprout to one side. "Aunt, consider your status... accomplished author, renowned throughout the Herbology world, a recognized master. Discussing academic issues with a fake expert, a 'master' praised by readers... can he understand? It's like a Transfiguration master discussing transformation methods with a first-year student. After explaining everything, the first-year says, 'I reckon all previous Transfiguration was no good... the Transfiguration I learned from the Daily Prophet's joke section works better.' This top-level Transfiguration can't use wands... you need quills. Wands can only turn matches into needles. But quills can turn clowns into masters." With his words, everyone present first froze. Then after understanding, "Pfft..." Even Lucius Malfoy couldn't help laughing. Professor Sprout's complexion also improved greatly. She finally recovered from her thoroughly angered state. But now it was Bozo Chalman's turn to be thoroughly angry. "What did you say? Who's the clown?!" Ciel shrugged and sneered. "Whoever reacts so strongly, that's who. Would a real master care about jokes? Only clowns care." Bozo's lips trembled with anger. He suddenly turned to Dumbledore, his voice stern. "Dumbledore, is this what Hogwarts students are like now? They don't even know how to respect people? Aren't you going to do something? How do you run this school?!" Dumbledore suddenly frowned. "Hmm? Chalman. Are you talking to me? Are you going to teach me how to be Hogwarts Headmaster?" Bozo Chalman immediately felt like cold water had been poured over his head. He immediately calmed down and shivered. "I didn't... That's not what I meant. I meant students with character problems should be managed..." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "What problems? I don't see any. I think Hogwarts students all have very noble character, especially Ciel. If his character is to be criticized, I think the problem might not be with him. Moreover..." He said coldly, "Didn't you come to review? Then get on with the real business." Bozo Chalman mumbled a few sounds, then clenched his fists. His face flushed red as he glared viciously at the little greenhouse before him. He had made up his mind to find at least a hundred faults inside. After leaving Hogwarts, he would write them all in his articles for all his readers to criticize. He had to make Ciel lose ownership of this little greenhouse! Just as everyone prepared to enter the little greenhouse, Ciel stopped them. His eyes flashed coldly as he suggested quietly, "Since Master Bozo has such profound insights into Herbology, I think having too many people around might interfere with his thoughts and affect the master's performance. Why don't we let the master enter the greenhouse alone for examination? He can dig three feet deep if he wants." With these words, Bozo felt slightly moved. He was now very wary of Dumbledore. With Dumbledore nearby, he didn't dare say certain things. But if he entered alone, wouldn't the little greenhouse review report be entirely up to him? He could tear Professor Sprout and Ciel to shreds in his article! But Bozo wasn't stupid either... he had concerns. What if there were dangerous plants hidden inside? The next moment, Ciel proactively opened the little greenhouse door, letting everyone see inside. "The little greenhouse just resumed operation, and my Herbology skills are limited... I haven't planted anything special. Just some Guardian Trees, a small patch of newly planted Devil's Snare, and some equally newly planted Shadow Thorns. Master Bozo should handle this easily, right?" Seeing inside the little greenhouse, Bozo's eyes showed delight. Guardian Trees needn't be mentioned... no offensive capability. Though Devil's Snare was classified as a dangerous magical plant, as long as you knew its weakness, even a first-year could drive it away. For an adult wizard like him, it was even less intimidating. The only slight trouble was the equally aggressive Shadow Thorns. But these Shadow Thorns had just been planted. What did he have to fear from newly planted Shadow Thorns? Could they mutate into some variant? So as if afraid Ciel might change his mind, Bozo immediately stepped into the little greenhouse. And he merely made a gesture toward Shadow, who was mixed among the ordinary Shadow Thorns in the greenhouse. "String him up and beat him! Beat him to death!" The next moment, the little greenhouse door was suddenly slammed shut by Ciel. [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? Check out my Patreon for: ✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories ✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics ✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl ???? Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter! Thanks for reading and supporting the story!